Chapter 516 - Preparation

Chapter 516: Chapter 516 - Preparation

Taufik entered the castle, where he was greeted by his children, particularly the girls, who were gathered with their mothers.

"...Hmm? Did I miss something?"

His sudden arrival drew everyone’s attention.

However, what truly caught their attention was the company he had brought with him.

"LEMBU!! BASUKHI!!" Anindha immediately rushed toward her father, scooping both Lembuswana and Basukhi into her embrace. "YOU’RE AWAKE!!"

"Ughh! Release me! Who are you, woman?!" Lembuswana protested, struggling in her embrace.

"Anindha? Is that you?" Basukhi asked, examining her face.

"Anindha?!" Lembuswana repeated, finally taking a closer look at the woman holding him. "What?! When did you get this big?! The last time I saw you, you were still–"

He suddenly stopped.

"...Fuck! We’ve really been sleeping for too long, haven’t we?"

Meanwhile, Kl’lara approached the group of wives.

"Hi, girls! I see you haven’t changed that much, huh?" She glanced around before tilting her head. "Huh? Where’s Aska?"

"Aska is busy at the moment, but I’m glad to see you with us again, Kl’lara," Gaia replied with a smile. "Arman has always been asking about you, you know?"

"Hmph! I don’t care about that boy!" Kl’lara retorted, turning her head away.

The wives exchanged amused glances.

"She’s shy. How cute~" Tina teased.

Kl’lara simply ignored her.

"So, what’s going on here?" Taufik looked around at his family, particularly the collection of dresses scattered across the room. "What is this discussion about clothes?"

"Their classmates invited them, Dear. Apparently, their families are organizing a gathering," Jenn explained as she picked another dress for Kiara to try. "They’re from one of the Magician families"

"It’s not just ’one of the Magician families,’ Mom. It’s one of the original Magician Families," Kiara corrected while examining the dress Jenn had picked for her. She then turned toward Taufik. "You should come with us too, Father"

"Nah, I’ll pass. I think I’ll stay here and have a little sparring session with these three. It’s been a while since I’ve properly stretched my muscles, you know"

Taufik glanced at the dress Kiara was wearing and nodded approvingly.

Meanwhile, Lembuswana, Basukhi, and Kl’lara exchanged glances.

For some reason...

None of them felt particularly enthusiastic about that idea.

"Oh, and don’t forget to invite Thalia. Wait..." Taufik suddenly paused and turned toward Shasha. "Where was Thalia’s last location again?"

"Miss Thalia’s last known location was Antarctica. She mentioned that she was investigating a site that had reopened following a tectonic rupture several years ago. She went there with a research team from the Tokugawa family," Shasha reported while attending to Taufik’s other children. "It’s been several days since then, and we’ve been unable to contact her"

"Hm~ I see. So she’s with the Tokugawas, huh? Well, nothing to worry about." Taufik didn’t seem particularly concerned. "So... who else will be attending this party?"

"All of us will go, Father! Even Great-Grandmother will be coming with us!" Litani answered enthusiastically. "Well, Uncle Caldwell and Big Bro Aksa won’t be joining us because they’re busy, obviously. But the rest of our family will be there. Even Sis Alice is coming!"

"Yes, it seems quite rare for one of the Original Magician Families to hold an open house like this. Everyone is excited to attend and see what the Original Magician Families are like," Anindha added, still holding Lembuswana in her embrace.

"Well, not me," Taufik replied casually. "I’ve seen far more interesting things than that, so I doubt I’ll be impressed just because of some family history. It’s not really my thing. But do have fun, and call me if anything happens, alright?"

"And why do you say that, honey?" Anugerah raised an eyebrow as she looked at her husband. "...Are you expecting something to happen?"

"Huh? Where did that question come from?" Taufik replied, looking as though he had just been unjustly accused of something.

"Fik, we all know that whenever you say something like that..." Maharani began.

"Something is bound to happen," Kaela finished, nodding in agreement while continuing to examine the dresses.

"That... That’s nonsense–"

"You know that better than anyone, son. Just admit it," Roslinda interrupted.

Taufik stared at the woman for a moment.

"...Yeah, whatever." He rolled his eyes before shifting his gaze toward the three ancient beings accompanying him. "Alright, the reunion is over. Let’s go get some exercise"

The moment those words left his mouth, Lembuswana, Basukhi, and Kl’lara exchanged glances.

Somehow...

They had a very bad feeling about this.

------

Underneath an unidentified small island, deep below its surface, the Demon-Worshipping Cult was holding a meeting.

All five Listeners were present.

"...Tonight is our chance," the First Listener announced. "House Caelastis is hosting a banquet where all the Original Magician Families will be present. This is our golden opportunity to obtain the Tome"

"So, what’s the plan?" the Fifth Listener asked.

"The plan is simple. We sacrifice everything necessary to obtain the Tome." The First Listener spoke hurriedly, his voice carrying an unmistakable sense of urgency. "The Corruption is thinning. We can no longer afford to delay this any further. There is no room for a proper plan anymore. Use everything at our disposal. Every resource, every subordinate, every member of this organization. If necessary, sacrifice them all to obtain the Tome. Do you understand?"

At his words, the other four Listeners nodded.

They could feel it too.

The corrupted Mana permeating the Earth was gradually becoming thinner. Whatever protection or influence the Corruption had once provided them was slowly disappearing.

They couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

"...Good," the First Listener continued. "Now, go prepare everything. I want everything ready by tonight"

"Understood"

The other Listeners answered simultaneously.

"You are all dismissed..." The First Listener paused. "Glory to the Darkness"

"Glory to the Darkness"

---

- With Taufik.

As Taufik left the castle, he first encountered Nāgāntaka and Wisnu.

"...Done with the talk?" Taufik asked, making the two turn toward him.

"We had a good talk, my friend," Wisnu answered with a smile. "Thank you for giving us the time."

"Don’t mention it. It’s nothing, really." Taufik waved his hand dismissively before turning toward Nāgāntaka. "So... What did you gain from this conversation, Nāgāntaka?"

"Many... Many things, Master," Nāgāntaka answered briefly.

He hadn’t noticed the three other beings accompanying Taufik. Seeing this, Taufik smiled, while the three beings beside him remained silent.

"So... What will you do now that you’ve learned so many things?"

"...I..."

Nāgāntaka hesitated.

He looked between Wisnu and Taufik before finally answering.

"I still want to stay with you, Master–"

He suddenly stopped.

His golden eyes widened.

"Wait! Lembu? Basukhi? Kl’lara?! Is that you guys?!"

"Took you long enough to notice, huh, Bird Brain?" Lembuswana giggled, grinning at his longtime friend. "You haven’t changed at all!"

"Wow! You guys are finally awake!" Nāgāntaka exclaimed as he approached his three old companions. "This is a good day!"

"We’re happy to see you again too, Nāgāntaka," Basukhi said with a smile. Although he hadn’t known Nāgāntaka as long as Lembuswana had, the two had still developed a good friendship over the years. "You’ve grown a bit stronger, I see. And don’t mind what Lembu says. He’s just too shy to admit how much he missed you"

"Hey! Who are you calling shy?!"

Basukhi simply ignored him.

"And there are so many things we want to tell you," Kl’lara added. She approached Nāgāntaka before wrapping her arms around his neck. "So prepare yourself, okay?"

At the side, Wisnu quietly watched the reunion.

A gentle smile remained on his face, although a hint of sadness lingered in his ancient eyes.

"...So, what will you do now, Wisnu?" Taufik suddenly asked.

"Just as I said before, I’ll be roaming the Earth for a while." Wisnu turned toward Taufik. "Oh, and would it be possible for the rest of us to visit Earth as well?"

"Of course. All of you are welcome on Earth, provided you follow the same rules as the rest of the Pantheon"

"Thank you." Wisnu smiled before turning around. "Alright, I’ll be going now"

"Hm? No proper goodbye?" Taufik asked, glancing toward Nāgāntaka then back at Wisnu.

"There’s no need"

"I see..." Taufik shrugged. "Well, what should I say? Enjoy your journey?"

Wisnu chuckled at his words before opening a portal.

"I’ll see you again someday, my friend"

"I hope you’ll find what you’re searching for. Good luck, Wisnu"

With those final words, Wisnu stepped through the portal.

"Huh? Lord Wisnu has already left?" Nāgāntaka asked, finally realizing that Wisnu was gone. "I didn’t even get to say goodbye!"

"Don’t worry. We’ll meet him again someday." Taufik smiled before turning his attention toward the four ancient beings. "So... Are you guys ready?"

"Huh? Ready for what?" Nāgāntaka tilted his head in confusion.

"Nāgāntaka, we’re friends, right? The best of friends!" Lembuswana suddenly said, hovering through the air before landing comfortably on Nāgāntaka’s back.

"Huh? Yes...?"

"Then you’re coming with us!" Basukhi declared.

He followed Lembuswana’s example, climbing onto Nāgāntaka’s back. Kl’lara soon followed, settling herself comfortably beside the other two.

"Alright! LET’S GO!!" Kl’lara exclaimed, raising her fist enthusiastically.

"...Huh?"

Nāgāntaka looked at the three beings sitting on his back before turning toward Taufik.

"Wait! What? What’s going on?!"

Taufik merely smiled.

"Come on, Nāgāntaka. It’s been a while since we’ve all trained together, hasn’t it?"

"..."

For some reason, Nāgāntaka suddenly felt that he should have stayed with Wisnu a little longer.

"...Can I say no?"

"No!" all four of them answered simultaneously before bursting into laughter.

And with that, Taufik manifested his Katana, Lo’tong.

With a casual swing of his blade, the very fabric of space began to distort, opening a passage into an entirely separate dimension.

After all, whatever they were planning to do... Doing it on Earth would be far too destructive.